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Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | The first shipment of tariff-free Scotch whisky departed Manchester for Philadelphia on 25 July, after US President Donald Trump confirmed tariffs would be removed from whisky during His Majesty The King’s state visit to the US in April.
Europe/Russia
Germany | In 2025, global beer production declined slightly, with total output contracting 0.7 percent over 2024 to 1.896 billion hl, the world’s leading hop specialist BarthHaas said on 21 July. Despite varying or, in some cases, contrary trends in individual countries, beer production was down on virtually every continent. The only exception was Africa, which saw a slight increase in beer output.
Europe/Russia
Belgium | Brewers Heineken and Duvel Moortgat are said to be among the parties that have expressed an interest in buying Haacht Brewery, the Belgian newspaper De Tijd reported on 16 July. They are allegedly among a handful of companies left in the final race for the listed company.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | Pubs and brewers are being prevented from capitalising on the rising demand for non-alcoholic beer because of guidelines about which beer counts as booze-free. The current definition is an alcohol by volume content of 0.05 percent or lower. In other countries, like in Germany, the threshold is ten times higher, at 0.5 percent. The British Beer and Pub Association wants the guidelines changed to prevent consumer confusion.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | What is James Watt getting up to now? The BrewDog co-founder said on 15 July that he has made an offer to US firm Tilray to buy back the craft beer business months after its collapse under a debt pile of more than GBP 500 million (USD 670 million), leading to hundreds of job losses. At its peak, BrewDog had four breweries, about 100 bars worldwide and was said to be worth about USD 2 billion.
Europe/Russia
Denmark | The Carlsberg Group entered into an agreement with Japan’s Sapporo Breweries to form a joint venture across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, on top of a partnership in the UK, the Danish brewer announced on 6 July.
Europe/Russia
Germany | The Federal Ministry of Finance plans to raise taxes on certain alcoholic beverages by 20 percent, effective 1 January 2027. A spokesperson confirmed (2 July) that a corresponding bill has been drafted. It would affect spirits as well as sparkling wines, fortified wines, and alcopops, but not beer.
Europe/Russia
Germany | The federal government plans to bring forward the introduction of a sugar tax on beverages by one year, to 1 January 2027. The German beverage industry is up in arms, calling it a “blow to hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses” who would have to stomach the tax themselves, unable to pass it on to retailers.
Europe/Russia
Germany | Alexander Egger will not erect his tent at this year’s Oktoberfest. Although the restaurateur had been awarded a contract for a tent site by the Munich city council, he did not return the signed contract by the deadline (3 July). He had hinted several times that a small tent like his, which seats 400 people, would be difficult to operate profitably. Mr Egger remains tight-lipped about the exact reason for this surprise withdrawal.
Europe/Russia
The Netherlands | The Dutch brewery Grolsch, which has been part of the Asahi Group since 2016, is taking over the family-owned Gulpener brewery in Limburg in its entirety, media reported on 2 July. Grolsch already held a 15 percent stake and is now acquiring the remaining shares from the Rutten family, bringing an end to the company’s independence after about 200 years. Both parties emphasize that the Gulpen brewery with its 60 employees will continue to operate. The transaction is primarily about pursuing synergies in sales and purchasing. Financial details were not disclosed.
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